Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015
251. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding resources in Garda Síochána headquarters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17411/15]
View answer252. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Garda Síochána headquarters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17412/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
An Garda Síochána is committed to obtaining value for money in relation to contracts for goods and services that are common across the public sector including Garda Headquarters’ requirements.
An Garda Síochána is working with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to ensure that contracts are placed in accordance with best procurement practice.
An Garda Síochána purchases a range of services including, stationary, janitorial, electricity, gas, waste management, vehicle fuels, office equipment and supplies for example. These goods and services are procured under OGP contracts designed to maximise value to the State by bundling Garda requirements with that of other public sector bodies.
With regard to civilians in An Garda Síochána, there have been significant increases in their numbers in recent years from 1,688 at the end of 2007 to approximately 2,041 (whole time equivalents) as of the 30 March 2015. Civilians are employed in a wide range of management, administrative, technical and operational duties covering such positions as Chief Administration Officer, Executive Director of Finance, Executive Director of Human Resources and Personnel Development, Crime Analysts, Head of Legal Affairs, clerical officers, photographers etc.
Apart from the above posts and the administrative support duties in Garda stations and offices, civilianisation has also enabled the establishment or expansion of some vital services which are wholly or largely provided by civilian staff – including the Garda National Immigration Bureau, the Garda Information Service Centre, the Garda Central Vetting Unit, the Fixed Charge Processing Office, and the civilianisation of the Call Taking function in the Command and Control Centre. The Deputy may also be aware of the ongoing process to civilianise border control functions at Dublin airport and the transfer of these responsibilities from An Garda Síochána to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department.
We will continue to maximise the number of civilian support staff in An Garda Síochána so that highly trained Gardaí can be released from administrative tasks to frontline operational policing.
